Mentaiko Pasta
Have you ever tried mentaiko? This spicy, marinated pollock roe is a beloved ingredient in Japanese cooking and the star of one of my favorite "wafu" (Japanese-style) pasta dishes. It’s comforting, rich, and incredibly savory, with just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting.
This dish is a lifesaver for busy days. My version features a creamy base of Kewpie mayo, a splash of truffle oil for an extra "umph," and a garnish of nori or fresh shiso leaves. The best part? You can have this delicious, restaurant-quality meal on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Zucchini Pasta
This 5-ingredient zucchini pasta is a recipe I’ve made every summer for over a decade. It’s simple, plant-based, and surprisingly rich in flavor, thanks to the natural sweetness of zucchini (yes, it’s in the squash family!) that melts down into a silky sauce. The original recipe came from an Italian roommate of a coworker I met while working at Disney World in Florida, and even though I never wrote it down, I’ve been making it from memory ever since. I’ve made it for friends going through breakups, for restaurant family meals, and for weeknight dinners—and every time, it disappears fast. All you need is zucchini, onion, olive oil, red pepper flakes, pasta, and salt. I like using fusilli because it catches the sauce so well, but the original was made with penne (which I know is a little controversial!). If you’re only cooking for two, the extra zucchini sauce freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy a taste of summer anytime.